This International Women’s Day, BW HOTELIER spoke to women leaders in the hospitality industry

International Women’s Day 2023: Every year, March 8 is celebrated as the International Women’s Day in order to increase awareness around gender equality, violence and abuse against women as well as reproductive rights. Over the years, this day has also been used to celebrate and promote the achievements of women in different areas. 

This International Women’s Day, BW HOTELIER spoke to women leaders in the hospitality industry about the challenges they faced, their journey, the expectations from them and their advice to younger women. 

Facing challenges

Shiromal Cooray, Chairman of Sri Lanka-based Jetwing Hotels and Jetwing Travels, began her journey in hospitality with a destination marketing company that belonged to her father and had five people based in Negombo. “Because it was a family business I faced fewer challenges, but the main one was getting my voice heard in the industry, which was male dominated. There were some senior bureaucrats who would resort to bullying too,” she says, while also expressing gratitude for having teams that never considered having a female boss a negative. 

Expectations from women

“We work in a patriarchal country, society and economy. Hospitality is usually framed as service which also has an element of subservience in it which is problematic. But instead of seeing it as service, it would be much better if people in the industry thought that it is about care, both from the hospitality company and staff's end as well as from the guests' side. When we think about care, we're really respectful towards the things that we're giving and receiving,” says Dr Annapurna Garimella, Director, Antara Luxury River Cruises, who is primarily an academic and has been involved in the hospitality industry as a designer for the last 21 years. 

Cooray adds, “Most often women are cast into gender typical roles in hospitality. Front office, public relations, housekeeping, but surprisingly not in the kitchen. Perhaps they feel being a chef is too much for a woman. Rising in the ranks is more difficult as women do not push themselves for fear of being ostracised by their own female counterparts at times.”

Maintaining work-life balance

Talking about the work-life balance that needs to be maintained, Cooray believes it is more challenging for women, explaining, “We live in a world where the gender roles have been stereotyped. Society expects these and though they are changing, it is quite slow. Women are the child bearers, the nurturers, the caregivers and the homemakers. Men are the breadwinners. When a woman tries to do both, society is not very kind. They are branded as iron women, bossy and aggressive, etc. As a young mother and a housewife, I struggled and felt quite guilty. But my mother and my in-laws were a great support. They made my life so much easier by always being there and not being critical. You must learn to compromise in both roles. You cannot have it all perfectly.”

Garimella shares Cooray’s opinion on this aspect being more challenging for women than for men. “I have my work to do as a scholar, I run a research and design firm. I'm also the founding Managing Trustee of an art library and research centre, plus I am a Director for Antara Luxury River Cruises. I am also a mother and run a household. So it's a juggle. It's sometimes a little bit complex, and sometimes a little bit tough. I do ask for help from friends and family. But it's work. It's a life's work for women to live a full, rich life. And in this way, I think that sometimes making a space for yourself, whether it is through some kind of spiritual practice, reading, doing bodily work like yoga or doing some fun things, like listening to music or spending time with friends, or just being quiet in the garden is very, very important,” she advises. 

Changing role of women in hospitality

“Women are becoming bolder, pushing further from their comfort zones. Now people are realising that as hospitality is about caring, giving, nurturing and empathising, women have an inherent advantage to excel in the hospitality sector. Society is also changing their view of women, the girl child is given more opportunities for education and building a career. Spouses are becoming more supportive. In such an environment, a woman can realise her potential much faster and with less guilt,” Cooray says on the changing role of women in the hospitality industry. 

Garimella adds, “I feel the attitudes of men who have strong women in senior positions around them can change, as they begin to soften themselves and listen better. But, this is a struggle for men. Patriarchy is all about making sure that the men who are the most patriarchal and want to keep their privilege the most come out on top. But patriarchy is also a struggle for men, not just for women. If we could set aside the struggle, specifically patriarchy-driven power, and think about power in a healthier way, that it's a source of strength for everybody.”

Evolution of women-dominated field

Speaking about the PR segment, a female-dominated aspect of hospitality, and its changing role, Sonakshi Yajurvedi, having 12 years of experience in this field and currently working as Manager, Marketing and Communications, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, says, "The PR and Communications ecosystem, as we see it today, has significantly evolved in the past decade. From merely being seen as a support function, today, Public Relations has taken a center stage and fueled the success story of brands while receiving its due credit in board rooms. PR is a demanding space but also one where women have contributed immensely with their strategic thinking, business acumen and most notably – leading with empathy. This tribe is growing, moving fast, and creating an impact. I have had the opportunity to work with strong women leaders in this industry and today as I look back at day one of taking that pitch out, my heart is full of gratitude."

Advice for young women

While stating that she learns a lot from her younger colleagues, including women, Garimella shares, “Young women really should give themselves the permission to aim for a full life. Whatever that definition of the full life is — a full work life, a full personal life, a full social life. I like what Tony Morrison once said - work is what you do. You can love what you do, you can be devoted to it, but it is what you do. But it isn't all of your life. There's more to everyone than that.”

Cooray adds, “Don’t doubt yourself at all. If your inner being urges you to push for something, go right ahead. Don’t be afraid to raise your hand for that next role. State your point of view at discussions, you may not be heard or may be ignored, keep at it nevertheless because very soon you will be heard. Persist and persevere. Don’t give up raising a family. You can balance both. Holding your child in your arms for the first time is such a wonderful experience, which you need not miss out at all.”